Introducing The Panerai Radiomir 1940 Art Deco Dial (PAM 790 & 791)

For the most part, Panerai's watches are variations on one of a handful of formulae. You've got the basic Radiomir and Luminor archetypes, and each year the brand finds new and interesting ways to riff on these classic models. The watches we have here today though, the PAM 790 and PAM 791, break the mold a little bit. The Radiomir 1940 case is just as you'd expect it to be (rendered here in the 47mm size), but the dials of these two watches are inspired by a historic pendulum clock that sat in Panerai's original boutique in Florence. They both forgo the sandwich construction and ample lume, opting instead for flat dials that have Art Deco style numerals, printed chapter rings, and ornate, faceted hands. They're decidedly old-school and a little dressier than what you're used to from Panerai.

Both watches are powered by the P.3000 caliber, which is Panerai's in-house hand-wound movement. It packs three days of power reserve and the finishing has a sort of industrial edge to it. Technically, the two models are identical, with the only variation being the black or ivory dial. Each is limited to 300 pieces.

Initial Thoughts

I'm a big Panerai fan, and it's nice to see the brand experimenting while still staying true to its core identity. The fact that these dials weren't just dreamed up out of nowhere helps connect these models to the Panerai story and extra little touches like those hands (a shape Panerai has never used before) and the domed Plexiglass crystal amp up the vintage feel. With watches like this, those details really add up and take them to the next level.

Now I know it's kind of Panerai's schtick, but I really wish these watches weren't 47mm. These dials in a 38mm Luminor Due case would make for some genuine dress watches that still drip with Panerai style. That is, of course, a very different proposition than what's presented here, but a guy can dream, can't he?